Chapter 7

Jacqueline immediately shook her head with a smile. " Nothing, we were just talking about travel." Frederick didn't ask any further questions, but staggered over and grabbed Gabrielle's wrist: “Let's go home.” His palm was burning hot, making Gabrielle's heart ache. On the way home, Frederick leaned against Gabrielle's shoulder, muttering incomprehensible academic terms. But occasionally, he would mumble a name. “Jacqueline…” Gabrielle stiffened, tears nearly spilling from her eyes. Even in his drunken state, he was still thinking of her. The next afternoon, Gabrielle gave the house a thorough cleaning. When Frederick woke up, Gabrielle had already prepared a hangover soup. “Thank you,” he said, taking the bowl, his voice still hoarse. “Are you going back today?” Gabrielle nodded. “Yes.” “I’ll take you there.” Gabrielle didn’t refuse. These were the last few hours, and Gabrielle wanted to look at him a little longer. He took her downstairs, hailed a taxi, and asked Gabrielle, “How long will you be gone? When will you be back?” He paused and added, “Do you want me to pick you up?” Gabrielle opened her mouth to speak, but before she could answer, his phone rang. It was Jacqueline. “Frederick! Can you come to the lab right now?” Her voice came through the receiver, tinged with a hint of pleading, “I have something urgent to discuss with you!” Frederick frowned. “I'm busy right now.” “Please!” she pleaded softly, “It's really important!” Frederick hesitated for a moment, then turned to look at Gabrielle. Gabrielle smiled, “Go ahead and take care of it. I can go to the train station on my own.” He remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded, “Alright.” He placed Gabrielle's suitcase in the trunk and opened the car door for her. “Be careful on the road,” he said. Gabrielle sat in the car, watching his figure grow smaller in the rearview mirror until it became a blurry black dot. Gabrielle whispered to herself, “Goodbye, Frederick.” On the train, the sky gradually grew dark. Her phone vibrated; it was a message from Jacqueline. A video. Gabrielle tapped it open and saw Jacqueline in the lab, wearing a white lab coat, blushing as she told Frederick, “I like you.” The video ended there, but Gabrielle knew that by the time she got home, she should be able to see the official announcement of their relationship. Gabrielle took a deep breath and sent Frederick her final message: [Frederick, I'm leaving. You don't owe me anything, and you don't need to think about repaying me. Everything I've done over the years was my own choice. I saved you, paid for your education, and stayed by your side through the toughest times—None of this was ever to make you grateful to me, nor was it to make you repay me for a lifetime. Now you have your own life, and you have Jacqueline. She's more suited to be by your side than I am. You have your future, and I have my own path to walk. From now on, we will have no further connection. Wishing you and Jacqueline happiness, and I will also find my own happiness.】 After sending this message, Gabrielle turned off her phone, gazing out the window at the swiftly passing scenery, her heart surprisingly calm. Ten years of obsession, ten years of sacrifice, ten years of waiting—all finally came to an end in this moment.